Category: Ülemajalised uudised

The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT) is honoured to welcome internationally acclaimed choreographer and director Lloyd Newson OBE for a one-week residency with students of the Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) master’s programme. The residency, taking place from 19 to 24 May 2025, will focus on blending movement, spoken word, and real-life testimony to create politically and socially engaged performances.

Newson, born in 1957 in Albury, New South Wales, is best known as the founder and artistic director of DV8 Physical Theatre, a company he established in 1986. A graduate in psychology and social work from the University of Melbourne, Newson discovered his passion for dance during his studies and went on to train with Margaret Lasica’s Modern Dance Ensemble. His early professional years included work with dance companies in Australia and New Zealand before relocating to London in 1980 to study at the London Contemporary Dance School. He later danced with Extemporary Dance Theatre but grew disillusioned with the lack of substantive content in contemporary dance.

In response, Newson founded DV8 Physical Theatre, pioneering a new form of performance that fused dance, theatre, film, and socio-political themes. His early works such as My Sex, Our Dance (1986) and Dead Dreams of Monochrome Men (1988) set the tone for a body of work committed to exploring complex social issues. Dead Dreams was also the first DV8 production adapted for film in 1990.

DV8 continued to garner critical acclaim with productions including Strange Fish (1992), Enter Achilles (1995), and The Cost of Living (2003), the latter of which was staged site-specifically at Tate Modern, London. In 2007, Newson began incorporating verbatim theatre into his work, using interview transcripts to shape narratives around issues such as homophobia (To Be Straight With You), freedom of speech (Can We Talk About This?), and redemption (JOHN).

Throughout his career, Newson has received over 55 national and international awards, including an OBE in 2013 for services to contemporary dance. He is widely regarded as one of the 100 most influential figures in the arts in the last century, as recognised by the UK Critics’ Circle. In 2016, marking DV8’s 30th anniversary, Newson paused the creation of new work to reflect on the company’s future.

DV8 Physical Theatre, under Newson’s leadership, produced eighteen acclaimed stage works and four award-winning films. DV8 Films Ltd., founded in 1991, produced film versions of Strange Fish, Enter Achilles, and The Cost of Living. The company’s legacy includes national and international tours and boundary-pushing explorations of physical, political, and psychological themes.

EAMT is proud to host this extraordinary artist and visionary whose work has deeply influenced the landscape of contemporary physical theatre worldwide.

Public events

Friday, 23 May at 19:00 – Open Lecture: Lloyd Newson (Free Entry)
In this public lecture, Newson reflects on four decades of creating theatre that responds to contemporary social and political challenges.

Saturday, 24 May at 19:00 – CPPM Open Class with Lloyd Newson
This final session offers the public a chance to observe the outcomes of the weeklong workshop and gain insight into Newson’s collaborative process.

From 12 to 17 May, British interdisciplinary artist Henry McGrath will mentor Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) master’s students at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT). Renowned for his physical approach to theatre and film – ranging from performing Hamlet with Poland’s Song of the Goat Theatre to establishing the experimental collective Eden’s Cave – McGrath will provide insights on embodied storytelling, solo creation, and eco-informed performance.

Public events

We are thrilled to announce that acclaimed performance artist Stacy Makishi will be joining CPPM as a guest artist for the next two weeks. Originally from Hawaii, Stacy brings a vibrant and eclectic approach to performance-making, drawing on live art, film, visual art and physical theatre.

Stacy has captivated audiences at major international venues including Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Albert Hall, TATE Modern and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. With over 30 years of experience as a facilitator, she is known for her ability to guide artists beyond the expected, using inventive and playful methods that spark creativity and transformation.

A seasoned educator, Stacy has taught at leading institutions such as Harvard, MIT, UC Berkeley, Wellesley College, and the University of Massachusetts. In the UK, she has also served as a resident artist and guest lecturer at Queen Mary University, London. Stacy is produced by Artsadmin.

As part of her time with CPPM, Stacy will lead an intensive workshop culminating in a public Open Class on Friday, 2 May 2025 at 19:00 in the EAMT Black Box. We warmly invite everyone to witness the results of this extraordinary exchange.

To learn more about Stacy and her work, visit www.stacymakishi.com.

We are thrilled to welcome the distinguished dancer and actress Ivana Jozic from Troubleyn, Belgium, as our guest artist for the next two weeks. The workshop will conclude with an open class on Friday, April 11, at 7:00 PM in the EMTA black box.

Ivana Jozic

Ivana Jozic is a dancer and actress born in Zagreb, Croatia. She studied dance at the School for Classical Ballet in Zagreb and London Contemporary Dance School and acting in Drama Studio London. She started to work with Jan Fabre in 2003 for the production “Je suis sang” (2003). Later she continued with other productions: “Tannhäuser” (2004), “The Crying Body” (2004), “Histoire des Larmes” (2005), “Requiem for Metamorphosis” (2007), “Orgy of Tolerance” (2009) and “Prometheus Landscape II” (2011). She toured for 4 years with Fabre’s solo “Angel of Death”, a worldwide success which won the Golden Laurel Wreath at the MESS International Theatre Festival, honouring the best overall performance. In 2008, Fabre had written and created another solo for her: “Another Sleepy, Dusty, Delta Day”. Ivana is part of Jan Fabre’s 24-hour project “Mount Olympus” (2015), and continues to work on other projects. As an actress, Ivana appeared in Chantal Akerman’s movie-installation “Women from Antwerp in November” (2007) and in Pierre Coulibeuf’s “Doctor Fabre will cure you” (2013).

Troubleyn

Jan Fabre has grown to become one of the most versatile artists on the international stage. He makes a clean break with the conventions of contemporary theatre by introducing the concept of ‘real-time performance’ – sometimes called ‘living installations’ – and explores radical choreographic possibilities as a means of resurrecting classical dance. Fabre has been writing his own plays since 1975, although it was not until 1989 that they were first performed. His texts form an exceptional collection of miniatures, as it were, with a very open writing style and reflect Fabre’s concept of theatre as an all-encompassing form of art in which dialogue functions alongside other elements such as dance, music, opera, performance and improvisation. Chaos and discipline, repetition and madness, metamorphosis and the anonymous are all indispensable ingredients in Fabre’s theatre. The acuteness and reserve with which he employs language demand innovative solutions which have also appeared in the hand of other directors to have worked with his texts.

Just like Stanislavski, Meyerhold, and Grotowski, throughout his career, Jan Fabre has put together a set of ‘exercises’ which he uses to prepare his performers (his actors and dancers) to work on stage. These ‘Guidelines for a performer in the 21st century’ have developed into the basis of his teaching and find specific expression in his work. The series of exercises focuses on systematically refining and optimising the quest for the potential of the physical acting (also known as ‘physiological’ acting). Fabre attaches great importance to breathing, the use of explosive energy, and the articulations of head, torso, and limbs. A lot of input is drawn from the kinetics of cold and warm-blooded animals.

We are delighted to announce the start of new cohort of our CPPM (Contemporary Physical Performance Making) course. Grzegorz and Alicja Bral—the visionary team behind the internationally renowned Song of the Goat theatre company in Wrocław, Poland—are our very first guest artists of the academic year.

From January 27 to February 7, Grzegorz and Alicja will conduct an immersive workshop at the EMTA Black Box, offering participants a unique insight into the artistry and techniques of Song of the Goat training and creative methods. Students will have opportunities to learn from the company’s innovative approach, combining music, text, voice, body, and imagination into an intense, rigorous training process.

PUBLIC LECTURE

Date/Time: February 5, 2025 at 19:00
Venue: EMTA Black Box
During this public lecture, Grzegorz Bral will share the evolution and philosophy of Song of the Goat, detailing how they developed their interdisciplinary method of actor training. 

OPEN CLASS

Date/Time: February 7, 2025 at 19:00
Venue: EMTA Black Box
Concluding their residency, Grzegorz and Alicja will lead an open class where attendees can witness the fruits of their workshop training. 

About Grzegorz Bral

A theatre director and educator, Grzegorz Bral is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Song of the Goat. He established the Bral Acting Method, presides over the Song of the Goat Association, and has been instrumental in creating cross-cultural events such as the Brave Festival and Brave Kids. Bral has earned numerous accolades for his artistic and educational contributions, including an Honorary Order from the Polish Minister of Culture and National Heritage, the Scotsman Fringe First, and the Herald Angel Award.

About Alicja Bral

Alicja Bral holds two doctoral degrees—one in theatre history from the University of Gdańsk (2010) and another in Practice as Research from the University of Kent (2021). Since 2016, she has written dramatic and poetic texts for Song of the Goat, contributing significantly to the company’s repertoire. Alongside Grzegorz, she co-founded the Bral School of Acting in London, where she lectures on theatre anthropology, acting techniques, and stage writing.

About Song of the Goat

Founded in 1996, Song of the Goat (Teatr Pieśń Kozła) has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most groundbreaking theatre companies, known for weaving together movement, music, and text into profoundly resonant performances. The company’s Acting Coordination Method challenges actors to integrate voice, body, and imagination in an emotionally charged, musically driven form of storytelling.

Join us in welcoming Grzegorz and Alicja Bral as they inspire our new CPPM cohort with their innovative spirit and transformative performance methods. Don’t miss the chance to delve into the world of Song of the Goat during their public lecture on February 5, and open class on February 7—all at the EMTA Black Box. We look forward to seeing you there!

After months of auditions globally – in South Korea, Australia, Brazil, USA, UK and Estonia – the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre is thrilled to announce the beginning of its third cohort in the international Master’s program in Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM). This year’s intake comprises sixteen students from thirteen countries:

• Ana Trif (Romania)
• Anette Pärn (Estonia)
• Avery Gerhardt (USA)
• Charis Taplin (UK)
• Clarisse Degeneffe (Belgium)
• Daniel Ortiz Amézquita (Colombia)
• Dita Lūriņa (Latvia)
• Edward Skaines (Australia)
• Elar Vahter (Estonia)
• Jeson Joy (India)
• Juuli Hyttinen (Finland)
• Leah Gayer (Germany/UK)
• Maarja Tosin (Estonia)
• Maria Papachristodoulou (Greece)
• Oskar Moore (Latvia)
• Zhenyan Ding (China)

Guided by the belief that genuine artistic evolution flourishes through collaboration with inspiring minds, the CPPM curriculum promises an immersive experience for its students. Throughout their studies, they will work alongside visionary practitioners and engage with cutting-edge approaches to shaping the landscape of contemporary performance. The guest artists for the following two years include:

• Marina Abramović (Serbia)
• Anne Bogart (United States)
• Wim Vanderkeybus | Ultima Vez (Belgium)
• Maxin Doyle | Punchdrunk (United Kingdom)
• Ivo Dimchev (Bulgaria)
• Guillermo Gomez-Peña | La Pocha Nostra (United States)
• Balitronica Gomez | La Pocha Nostra (United States)
• Grzegorz Bral | Song of the Goat (Poland)
• Hannes Langolf | DV8 Physical Theatre (Germany)
• Eddie Martinez | Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch (Germany)
• Akram Khan Company (United Kingdom)
• Young Boy Dancing Group (international)
• Marco Donnarumma (Italy)
• Julian Boal | Escola de Teatro Popular (Brazil)
• Guillaume Pige | Theatre Re (United Kingdom)
• Ivana Jozic | Troubleyn (Belgium)
• Maria Kolegova | Ultima Vez (Belgium)
• Stacy Makishi (Hawaii)
• Ephia Djalma (France)
• Gey Pin Ang (Singapore)
• Henry McGrath (United Kingdom)
• Peader Kirk (United Kingdom)
• Mart Kangro (Estonia)
• Physical Lab (United Kingdom)
• Gecko (United Kingdom)
• Mirko Rajas (Estonia)
• Taavi Tõnisson (Estonia)

We look forward to witnessing the creativity and innovation this new cohort will bring to the stage and beyond.

In a thrilling announcement today, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre unveiled the lineup of guest artists for its international master’s program in Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) for 2025–2027.

Renowned figures from across the globe are set to grace Estonia’s shores over the next two years, bringing their expertise to engage with master’s students in contemporary performance-making. The impressive list includes:

• Marina Abramović (Serbia)
• Anne Bogart (United States)
• Wim Vanderkeybus | Ultima Vez (Belgium)
• Maxin Doyle | Punchdrunk (United Kingdom)
• Ivo Dimchev (Bulgaria)
• Guillermo Gomez-Pena | La Pocha Nostra (United States)
• Balitronica Gomez | La Pocha Nostra (United States)
• Grzegorz Bral | Song of the Goat (Poland)
• Hannes Langolf | DV8 Physical Theatre (Germany)
• Eddie Martinez | Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch (Germany)
• Akram Khan Company (United Kingdom)
• Young Boy Dancing Group (international)
• Marco Donnarumma (Italy)
• Julian Boal | Escola de Teatro Popular (Brazil)
• Guillaume Pige | Theatre Re (United Kingdom)
• Ivana Jozic | Troubleyn (Belgium)
• Maria Kolegova | Ultima Vez (Belgium)
• Stacy Makishi (Hawaii)
• Ephia Djalma (France)
• Gey Pin Ang (Singapore)
• Henry McGrath (United Kingdom)
• Peader Kirk (United Kingdom)
• Mart Kangro (Estonia)
• Physical Lab (United Kingdom)
• Gecko (United Kingdom)
• Mirko Rajas (Estonia)
• Taavi Tõnisson (Estonia)

You can find out more about CPPM guest artists here.

The CPPM curriculum, rooted in the belief that the most significant artistic growth stems from collaboration with inspiring minds, promises an immersive experience. Students will learn alongside leading practitioners and engage in cutting-edge practices reshaping the performing arts landscape.

You can find more information about the application process here.

We offer two online information sessions for prospective students on May 5th and June 25th. These sessions give prospective applicants insights into the application and audition process, curriculum details, and more. Former and current CPPM students will also be on hand to share their experiences. To participate, please register for your preferred session(s) using the provided link.

Applications for CPPM are open until July 1, 2024.

Studies commence on January 20th, 2025.

As part of the international contemporary performance festival CPPM Manifestal, a performance titled “Buy Me” by DongBin Lee is set to premiere this Friday, offering a provocative exploration into the commodification of humanity in a futuristic dystopia. Scheduled performances will take place on the 29th, 30th, and 31st of March and on the 1st of April, all starting at 19:00 in the EMTA black box, with an artist talk following the March 31st show.

Joining Lee are co-creator and performer Javier Cárcel Hidalgo-Saavedra (SPA), scenographer Madlen Hirtentreu (EST), lighting designer Priidu Adlas (EST), and sound designer About It (KOR). Produced by CPPM Manifestal and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, with support from the Estonian Cultural Endowment, “Buy Me” promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of humanity’s evolution in the face of relentless commodification.

DongBin Lee (1988), a traditional Korean artist residing in Tallinn, Estonia, is the creative force behind “Buy Me” as it is his graduation project from the MA in Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) course at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. Lee’s work spans the realms of directorship, acting, and creation within the performative arts. Graduating from Chung-Ang University’s Department of Traditional Arts with a major in performing arts, Lee inherited the Bongsan mask dance, a crucial intangible cultural asset of Korean traditional art recently declared a UNESCO intangible heritage of humanity.

His artistic journey encompasses the exploration of theatre, art, and traditional dance, leading him to collaborate with diverse talents in Korea and Europe, garnering acclaim for his works. Recognized as an emerging traditional artist by the Namsan Gugak Center’s art support project in Seoul in 2020 and selected as an emerging artist in performing arts by the Korea Culture and Arts Committee in 2021, Lee’s dedication to his craft is evident.

“Buy Me” reflects Lee’s commitment to creating performances that resonate with audiences on multiple levels, emphasizing expressive abilities and the nuances of body and movement. His profound curiosity about human existence fuels his artistic exploration, delving into the intricacies of individual, social, and communal dynamics.

The CPPM Manifestal is a bespoke performance festival, created with the sole purpose of providing a platform for CPPM students to present their original works to a wide, international audience. Students have total creative freedom to choose who, where, and what form these final projects will take – works have ranged from large scale dance to intimate one-on-one experiences, promenade to immersive, from virtual to aural.

The festival’s program is international, showcasing in 2024 the work of 14 emerging artists from 11 different countries: Jennifer Bagg (Australia), DongBin Lee (South Korea), Rebecca Green (United States), Amy Reade (England), Javier Cárcel Hidalgo-Saavedra (Spain), Katia Skylar (Finland), Misia Żurek (Poland), Rasmus Jensen (Denmark), Sofia Filippou (Greece), Kymbali Williams (Estonia/Ghana/UK), Britt Kõrsmaa, Elo Tuule Järv, Kirte Jõesaar, Kreete Tarmo (all from Estonia). All projects are created specifically for the festival, presenting 14 new productions during the festival.

While the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre takes the lead in organizing the festival, it is carried out in collaboration with numerous partners, including venues such as Von Krahl Theatre, Kanuti Gildi SAAL, Viimsi Artium, Vene teater, and more. Additionally, undiscovered venues like the ruins of Ungru Castle, Kiviõli ash mountains, Pirita TOP pool, Tallinn urban space, and various pop-up galleries will host performances. This year, CPPM Manifestal also features smaller sub-festivals, such as “Next Stop”, curated by Von Krahl, focusing on the relationship between the individual and society.

The first CPPM Manifestal took place in 2021, featuring noteworthy productions like Liisa Saaremäel’s “Tiny Home Productions Presents: Bigger Than Life” (in collaboration with ULM), which won the 2022 theatre award in the performing arts category. Keithy Kuuspu’s “False Falling” (in collaboration with STL) earned her the Crystal Slipper award and a nomination for the best dance production. Paolo Panizza’s production “Por Toi” reached the finals in the young directors’ category at the 2022 Venice Theatre Biennale.

The festival will take place from March 13 to June 17, 2024. The program will be continuously updated!

For more information: www.manifestal.ee

Tickets are available at Piletikeskus.

Today marks the commencement of the CPPM Manifestal, an international contemporary performance festival organized by the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. The festival debuts with the premiere of Australian performance artist Jennifer Bagg’s work titled “Ball is Life.” Author-director Jennifer Bagg (AUS), sound designer Jürgen Reismaa (Von Krahl), lighting designer Rommi Ruttas (EST), scenographers Ere Kama and Kadri Joala (Estonian Academy of Art), performers Elo Järv (EST), Katia Skylar (RUS/FIN), Erko Sild (EST), Edward Skaines (AUS). “Ball is Life” is co-produced with Theatre Von Krahl, supported by Estonian Cultural Endowment. 

After two years of rigorous training under the guidance of globally renowned artists, the MA in Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) students are ready to make their mark on the international stage, presenting their projects to audiences, curators, and producers in Estonia and beyond. This spring signifies the festival’s second edition, unveiling the final projects of the CPPM students.

The festival’s program is diverse, showcasing the creations of 14 emerging artists from 11 different countries: Jennifer Bagg (Australia), DongBin Lee (South Korea), Rebecca Green (United States), Amy Reade (England), Javier Cárcel Hidalgo-Saavedra (Spain), Katia Skylar (Finland), Misia Żurek (Poland), Rasmus Jensen (Denmark), Sofia Filippou (Greece), Kymbali Williams (Ghana/England/Estonia), Britt Kõrsmaa, Elo Järv, Kirte Jõesaar, Kreete Tarmo (all from Estonia). All projects are specifically crafted for the festival, presenting 14 new productions during the event. Students collaborate actively with professionals from the Estonian performance scene, collaborators from their home countries, and international guest artists. These collaborators serve as performers, designers, mentors, and dramaturgs, contributing to a rich, multicultural tapestry of performance.

While the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre takes the lead in organizing the festival, it collaborates with various partners, including venues such as Von Krahl Theatre, Kanuti Gildi SAAL, Viimsi Artium, Vene teater, and more. In addition, unconventional venues like the ruins of Ungru Castle, Kiviõli ash mountains, Pirita TOP pool, Tallinn urban space, and various pop-up galleries will host performances. This year, CPPM Manifestal also includes smaller sub-festivals, such as “Next Stop,” curated by Von Krahl, focusing on the relationship between the individual and society.

The inaugural CPPM Manifestal took place in 2021, featuring notable productions like Liisa Saaremäel “Tiny Home Productions Presents: Bigger Than Life” (in collaboration with ULM), which won the 2022 theatre award in the performing arts category. Keithy Kuuspu “False Falling” (in collaboration with STL) earned her the Crystal Slipper award and a nomination for the best dance production.

The festival will run from March 13 to June 17, 2024. The program will be continually updated.

In a bid to attract exceptional talent, the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (EAMT) has unveiled a remarkable opportunity for prospective students enrolling in the Contemporary Physical Performance Making (CPPM) course. EAMT is pleased to announce the availability of eight partial tuition fee waivers, aiming to ease the financial journey of aspiring students.

These scholarships are structured into two tiers: four scholarships that generously provide a 50% reduction on the full tuition fee and an additional four that offer a 25% reduction. The direct application of these scholarships serves to alleviate the financial burden on students, with the reduction (25% or 50%) subtracted from the total tuition fee for the academic year.

For example, EU applicants with a full tuition fee of €7000 will witness a reduced fee of €5250 with a 25% scholarship and a further decrease to €3500 with a 50% scholarship per academic year. Similarly, non-EU applicants with a full tuition fee of €13000 will experience reductions to €9750 and €6500, respectively.

The allocation of these scholarships for the first academic year is contingent upon audition outcomes, with four candidates set to receive a 50% discount and another four benefiting from a 25% discount. Each scholarship remains valid for one academic year.

In the subsequent academic year, all CPPM students will have the opportunity to vie for eight similar scholarships based on academic performance, artistic dedication, and overall course contribution, as determined by the CPPM course committee.

Additionally, EAMT extends its support to CPPM students by offering a result-based scholarship. The student with the highest academic performance each term is awarded 100 euros per month, a recognition of their dedication and excellence. This scholarship is granted at the beginning of each term, acknowledging academic achievements from the preceding term.

Prospective candidates and current students eager to explore these scholarship opportunities can find comprehensive details on CPPM Course Detail page.